ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
New platform to measure DNA modifications can have potential application in early detection of Cancer, Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s
Scientists have developed a new technique to measure DNA modifications that can have applications in early diagnosis of multiple diseases like Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases.
Alteration in DNA affects their expression and functions. DNA controls cell survival through the genetic code as well as via modifications to its structure. There is a demand for techniques with very high resolution to measure such modifications of DNA structures and observe and understand the molecular mechanisms associated with it to track rare diseases.
The novel nanopore-based platform developed by the scientists can directly measure such modifications or branched DNA properties with the single-molecule resolution even with extremely low amounts of sample.
The platform and associated analysis techniques developed by a team of scientists led by Professor Gautam Soni from Raman Research Institute, an autonomous Institute funded by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India can quantitatively assess the distribution of supercoiled branches on DNA plasmids . This research work done by researchers Sumanth Kumar, Koushik S., and Dr. Soni has been recently published in the journal ‘Nanoscale’.
The measurement principle of the novel platform is analogous to the Archimedes principle. Individual analyte molecules are driven through a nanopore under an applied voltage, which, during translocation, results in a tiny electrical blip. Charges excluded by the analyte  in the nanopore is directly proportional to the volume of the particle and is directly measured as the current change. This method utilizes extremely low amounts of sample and can measure DNA structural changes ranging to a few nanometers resolution in the axis perpendicular to the translocation and few tens of nanometers along the translocation axis.
Further optimization of the technique can help in the development of portable nano-bio sensors for detection and quantification of protein aggregates and cell-free DNA or nucleosomes. This may help in the early diagnosis of many diseases like Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases. Currently, researchers at RRI are also exploring applications of this method for virus detection.
[Publication link:
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06219G
For more details, Professor Gautam Soni  can be contacted.]
Ministry of Finance
Over 520 lakh subscribers under various Schemes of National Pension System as of March 2022 , showing year-on-year increase of more than 22%
Total pension assets stood at Rs 7.36 lakh crore under management of Atal Pension Yojana , showing year-on-year growth of more than 27%
The number of subscribers in various schemes under the National Pension System  rose to 520.21 lakh by end-March 2022 from 424.40 lakh in March 2021 showing a year- on- year  increase of 22.58% 
Table-1: Number of Subscribers in various schemes under National Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana:

|
|
S.N.
|
|
Sector
|
|
Mar-20
|
|
Mar-21
|
|
Mar-22
|
|
Growth %
YOY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Central Government
|
|
21.02
|
|
21.76
|
|
22.84
|
|
4.96
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
State Government
|
|
47.54
|
|
51.41
|
|
55.77
|
|
8.48
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Corporate Sector
|
|
9.73
|
|
11.25
|
|
14.04
|
|
24.80
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
All Citizen Sector
|
|
12.52
|
|
16.47
|
|
22.92
|
|
39.16
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
NPS Lite|
|
43.32
|
|
43.02
|
|
41.87
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Atal Pension Yojana
|
|
211.42
|
|
280.49
|
|
362.77
|
|
29.33
|
|
|
|
Grand Total
|
|
345.55
|
|
424.40
|
|
520.21
|
|
22.58
|
|No fresh Registration permitted w.e.f. 01st April 2015
As on 31st March 2022, total pension assets under management stood at Rs. 7,36,592 crore showing a Y-o-Y growth of 27.43% .
Table- 2: Total Assets under Management under Nation Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana

|
|
S.N.
|
|
Sector
|
|
Mar-20
|
|
Mar-21
|
|
Mar-22
|
|
Growth %
YOY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Central Government
|
|
1,38,046
|
|
1,81,788
|
|
2,18,577
|
|
20.24
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
State Government
|
|
2,11,023
|
|
2,91,381
|
|
369,427
|
|
26.78
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Corporate Sector
|
|
41,243
|
|
62,609
|
|
90,633
|
|
44.76
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
All Citizen Sector
|
|
12,913
|
|
22,206
|
|
32,346
|
|
45.66
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
NPS Lite
|
|
3,728
|
|
4,354
|
|
4,687
|
|
7.65
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Atal Pension Yojana
|
|
10,526
|
|
15,687
|
|
20,922
|
|
33.37
|
|
|
|
Grand Total
|
|
4,17,479
|
|
5,78,025
|
|
7,36,592
|
|
27.43
|
|
For further information on NPS and APY please visit www.pfrda.org.in
Ministry of Railways
Ministry of Railways holds a Presentation Session with Examination Conducting Agencies  to assess their potential to hold large recruitment examinations
Railway Recruitment Control Board, Ministry of Railways, held a presentation session with major Examination Conducting Agencies  to assess their strength and potential to hold large recruitment examinations for Indian Railways.
Indian Railways being the largest employer of manpower, has given over 1.5 lakh employment and almost equal number is in the pipeline. Railway Examinations invite a large number of applications running into lakhs and more. Last year, one of the examinations had about 1.89 crore candidates which is a record.
Conducting such large scale examinations successfully has been a matter of concern and, hence, Examination Conducting Agencies are selected after minutely scrutinising their credentials and potentials. To broad base the choice of Agencies, Indian Railways held a presentation session with Examination Conducting Agencies for which notification was issued a week back. Agencies from all over India participated. The presentation was followed by interactive session with Chairmen of Railway Recruitment Boards who were also present during the session. Based on the interactions, the Railways is expected to float tender for selecting the Examination Conducting Agency for holding the forth-coming examinations of Non-Technical Popular Categories and Miscellaneous Categories, to be held in the coming months.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates 3 NH projects worth Rs 3695 Crore in Washim, Maharashtra
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated 3 National Highways  projects worth Rs 3695 Crore in Washim, Maharashtra.
In the last 9 years 227 km of highway network has been constructed in Washim district connecting Vidarbha and Marathwada. The 4-lane National Highway 161 from Akola in Maharashtra to Sangareddy in Telangana becomes important in strengthening the trade relations between the two states.
Divided into a total of 3 packages, the first package on the highway from Akola to Medshi or 48 km costing Rs 1,259 crore has four air pools, 10 underpasses and 85 culverts. The second package from Medshi to Washim or 45 km costing Rs 1,394 crore includes 13 bus shelters, 6-lane ROB and Washim city bypass. Also, under the third package from Pangre to Warangafata or 42 km and costing Rs 1042 crore, the main bridge over Kayadhu river, Kalamanuri and Akhara-Balapur city bypass are included.
Many important places in Akola, Washim, Nanded and Hingoli districts will now be connected. It will be easy and accessible to reach religious and tourist places like Shegavche Gajanan Maharaj Temple, Akola Shahnoor Fort, Antriksh Jain Temple, Eighth Jyotirling Aundha-Naganath, Sant Namdev Maharaj Sansthan, Narsi and Takht Sachkhand Gurudwara in Nanded. The Highway facilitates business opportunities in Telangana and Maharashtra leading to employment growth.
In the construction work of Sadar National Highway 161 under the 'Amrit Sarovar' scheme, ponds in Savargaon Barde, Jhodga Khurd, Chivra, Amani, Saikheda or other villages were opened and the soil and sand obtained from it was used for construction of the road.
MJPS
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Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways participates in the largest Vaccination Drive against COVID 19
Covid Vaccination program gets underway at Railway hospitals at New Delhi & Jabalpur with 124 doctors and paramedics get their first vaccine shots on Day 1
Hospital Heads take the first shot in Railway hospitals
Indian Railways participated in the largest vaccination programme against COVID 19.
After the address and inauguration of the largest vaccination drive in history by our Honourable Prime Minister, vaccination programme started today in Northern Railway Central Hospital as a part of national COVID 19 vaccination drive.
Dr Sharad C. Khorwal, MD, NRCH took the first shot of covid vaccine to motivate staff. Similarly, at Jabalpur also, MD took the first shot.
There was a very good response from health care staff of the hospital including many of senior doctors.
After vaccination all were observed for 30 minutes for any adverse reaction.
It was a very well organised event. Everyone appreciated the arrangement at the vaccination center.
Total 51 health care workers of Northern Railway Central Hospital were vaccinated with Covishield vaccine today. Out of which 28 were males and 23 females.
Also, the vaccination drive started in Jabalpur Railway hospital. 73 doctors and paramedics were vaccinated.
None of the healthcare beneficiaries vaccinated today had any serious adverse events following the immunization.
More such sessions will be conducted for vaccination in NRCH. The next session is planned on Monday, 18th January 2021.
Ministry of Finance
Foreign national intercepted by DRI found to purge NDPS capsules
: Mumbai, June 30, 2023
Based on specific Intelligence, one Benin National was intercepted at CSMI Airport Mumbai on 21st June, 2023 by DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit officers. He was produced before the Hon’ble CMM who ordered for his medical examination and recovery of contraband, if any from his body. During his medical examination he was suspected to have ingested 43 capsules, apparently containing NDPS substance. The passenger was admitted to J J Hospital where, after appropriate treatment, the passenger has purged 43 capsules during his 10 days stay at hospital from 21.06.2023 to 30.06.2023. Total 43 capsules were recovered from his body and, on examination, the substance in capsules tested positive for Heroin. Total 504 grams of light brown sticky substance  has been recovered and seized under the NDPS Act, 1985. The accused person has admitted to have tried to smuggle in narcotics substance. Accordingly , he has been arrested and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.
Body packing is one of the common ways to traffic illicit drugs. Drug mules usually swallow or insert drugs within the gastrointestinal tract or other orifices. Detection of such drug packets has become difficult because of the constantly improving packaging techniques and the sophistication used by traffickers. A delay diagnosis and inappropriate action may carry disastrous physical consequences for the body packers and in extreme situations it can be fatal for the body packers.
Further investigation is underway.
Source: DRI MZU
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore felicitates Former Captain of Indian Football Team Gurdev Singh Gill
Former Captain of Indian Football Team Gurdev Singh Gill was felicitated here today for his outstanding contribution to Indian Football. Minister of State  for Youth Affairs & Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore presented him a shawl, memento and a cheque of Rs. Five Lakh on the occasion.
The felicitation ceremony was organised as Shri Gurdev Singh Gill was away in Canada when Prime Minister shri Narendra Modi felicitated the captains of Indian football teams that played in the Asian Games. Felicitation of Indian Captains by the Prime Minister was organised during the FIFA U – 17 World Cup on October 6 in New Delhi earlier this year.
Speaking after the felicitation ceremony Shri Gurdev Singh said he is happy with the promotion of Football in the country as FIFA U 17 world Cup has attracted a lot of attention throughout the country especially among youth and school students. He expressed his gratitude to the government for felicitating former football players.
A winner of Arjuna Award, 67-year-old Gurdev Singh Captained Indian Football Team at 1978 Bangkok Asian Games.
PIB Headquarters
AADHAAR SEVA KENDRA OPENS IN WARANGAL, TELANGANA
Aadhaar Seva Kendra operated by Unique ldentification Authority of lndia  has begun operations in Warangal, Telangana. . This centre has a capacity to handle upto 500 Aadhaar Enrolment or Updates every day. People can avail Aadhaar related services like Enrolment and Updations of Address, Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Mobile number, E-mail !D and Biometric updations including photo, finger print and iris.
UIDAI has also provided facility to book appointments online. 'The residents can book appointment, by visiting the URL ask.uidai.gov.in, where one can choose their convenient date and time to avail services at the Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The Aadhaar Seva Kendra  is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, on all 7 days of the week including Sundays. The ASK is a fully air-conditioned centre with adequate seating capacity.
Aadhaar Enrolment, and Mandatory Biometric update of children of 5 and 15 years, including any other update done along with it, is free of cost. For all other updates/ corrections, a nominal fee of Rs 50 will be charged per transaction.
Apart from residents of Warangal, people from other areas also can avail Aadhaar related services at this Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Oscar Retrospective
A session on Oscar Retrospective followed by the screening of Casablanca was held on day 1 at the ongoing International Film Festival of India  Goa.
Moderated by Journalist and film critic Naman Ramachandran, the session had the Festival Director, ADG, Directorate of Film Festivals , Chaitanya Prasad along with the editor of American film editor who also worked on the restored version of Casablanca, Ms. Carol Littleton.
On asked about the idea behind curating a section on Oscar Films, Mr. Prasad said, “We have grown up watching these films and admiring them. To be able to see these films on big screen is an experience in itself. All age group people sitting here in the theatre to watch the film says it all.”
Carol Littleton spoke about how there is a huge effort behind Oscars. “We work throughout the year. There are Outreach programmes, Workshops, seminars to make technicians technically sound. We also look at science of making films. Artistic and scientific sides both are important for making a film.” She said.
Talking about how there are wide numbers of Academy members from around the world now, Littleton said, “People can become academy members online by getting two recommendations of academy members. It’s open for worldwide members who have credits and the mastery. We are looking at participation from around the world.”
Ms. Littleton also congratulated Mr. Prasad on choosing such wide range of amazing films. “The Film Festival has Romantics, Comedies, Musical etc You have touched different genres, that is not easy. I think you are going to have success.” She concluded.
On the occasion of the 50th year of International Film Festival of India, the festival announces a special section which celebrates some of the most outstanding films which have won the Best Film award at the Academy Awards also known as the Oscars. The Section has been aptly named as the Oscar Retrospective.
All these films have not only won the Best Film award but also had been nominated in other categories at the Oscars and have amongst them won quite a number of awards.The films in this category are some of the most popular and evergreen Hollywood classics which cinephiles and film enthusiasts would love to eagerly watch on the big screen at the 50th IFFI. IFFI always has been a platform that celebrates films from across the world and the festival take this opportunity to pay humble respect to some of the classics of all time made by some of the most respected names of the Hollywood industry.
Ministry of Defence
Strategic Experts and Technocrats Deliberate on "Mission Shakti"
A special interaction session was organized by Defence Research and Development Organisation , here today to present first-hand account of the mission details, development milestones including technological aspects of Mission Shakti. Many eminent serving/retired strategic experts, technocrats, diplomats, top brass of Armed forces, Scientific fraternity across various departments participated in the deliberations.
DRDO presented the objectives, mission challenges and achievements of the Anti-Satellite Test .
DRDO had successfully conducted an Anti-Satellite Missile Test  ‘Mission Shakti’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha on March 27, 2019 and made India join the select group of three nations  possessing such capability.
National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, Principal Scientific Adviser Govt of India,Prof. K Vijay Raghavan, Deputy National Security Advisers Shri Pankaj Saran & Shri Rajinder Khanna, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy Shri K. N. Vyas, Secretary Dept of Science & Technology Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr M. Rajeevan, strategic experts and think tank of India, former DRDO chiefs and retired service officers along with Chairman DRDO & Secretary Department of Defence R&DDr G Satheesh Reddy were present during the event.
Nampi/Rajib
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PIB Headquarters
Temporary disconnection date of BSNL Postpaid Mobile & WIMAX Services
General Manager for Mobile Services BSNL Kerala Circle has informed that GSM & WIMAX Postpaid customers should pay their Mobile Bill dated 03-3-2017, before 24th March 2017 to enjoy continued service.
(Visitor Counter : 15
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Government contracts additional 12,500 MT of Onions from Turkey;
Total imports contracted so far is 42,500 MT of which 12,000 MT to arrive in India before 31st December, 2019
MMTC has contracted an additional 12,500 MT of Onions from Turkeyas directed by the Price Stabilisation Fund Management Committee  of the Department of Consumer Affairs. The latest contract of Onions will begin arriving in India from Mid-January onwards. With this additional 12,500 MT, the total contracted Onions so far for imports have gone upto 42,500 MT.
A bulk of the contracted Onions to the tune of approximately 12,000 MT will arrive in India before 31st December, 2019 which will then be supplied to various States in line with their respective demand. This is likely to immediately reduce the prices and improve overall availability.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
E-Commerce Platform
Employment and retrenchment including lay-offs are a regular phenomenon in industrial establishments. Matters relating to lay-off and retrenchment in industrial establishments are governed by the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947  which also regulates various aspects of lay-off and conditions precedent to retrenchment of workmen. As per the ID Act, establishments employing 100 persons or more are required to seek prior permission of the appropriate Government before effecting closure, retrenchment or lay-off. Further, any retrenchment and lay-off are deemed to be illegal which is not carried out as per the provisions of ID Act. ID Act also provides for right of workmen laid off and retrenched for compensation and it also contains provision for re-employment of retrenched workmen. Based on their respective jurisdictions as demarcated in the ID Act, Central and State Governments take actions to address the issues of the workmen and protect their interests as per the provision of the Act. In the establishments that lie in the jurisdiction of Central Government, the Central Industrial Relations Machinery  is entrusted with the task of maintaining good Industrial relations and protects the interest of workers including on the matters relating to lay off and retrenchment and their prevention. The jurisdiction in the matters with regard to multi-national and Indian companies in the IT, social media, Edu Tech firms and related sectors lie with the respective State Governments.
Amazon India has informed that as a part of their annual operating planning review process, they look at each of their businesses and they believe in change. While going through this process, given the current macro-economic environment, some of their teams are making adjustments, which include giving employees in certain teams an opportunity to opt in for the Voluntary Separation Programme . The VSP is a completely voluntary programme under which employees opt to receive a fair severance package. They have informed that they do not force its employees to opt for the VSP. The Amazon India informed that the decision to opt in for the VSP is 100% voluntary and they are offering an extended window to employees in case they choose to revisit and/or revoke their decision. Amazon India further informed that in the event an employee does not opt in for VSP, there is no impact on his employment due to the decision.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Passport Seva Kendras under Regional Passport Office, Cochin to function on September 27
Kochi : September 26. 2023
Passport Seva Kendras  and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras  under the jurisdiction of Regional Passport Office, Cochin will function on September 27  as the Milad-i-Sherif holiday for Central Government institutions in the state has been postponed to September 28 .
All passport and PCC appointments booked on September 28 have been rescheduled to September 27. Accordingly, the applicants who have taken appointment on September 28  are requested to be present at the same PSK/POPSK on September 27  at the same time slot.
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Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Capacity Building of North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project  Communities on Low Chilling Apple Varieties
Low Chilling Apple varieties were introduced in the Ukhrul district of Manipur and West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, on pilot basis, by North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society , North Eastern Council , GoI, Shillong in collaboration with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology , Palampur under Ministry of Science & Technology, GoI in the year 2018-19.
Apple plantation is a seasonal activity and the season is between October– March. NEC had organized the training program at a cost of Rs.63.63 Lakhs in consultation with CSIR-IHBT in between October 2018 – March 2019. The 2  batches training programs were successfully organized for the communities and staffs of Ukhrul  and West Khasi Hills  District Support Teams .
5 numbers of Officer/Staffs and 30 number of farmers trained in 2 batches .
4,000 number of saplings distributed to the beneficiaries in Ukhrul, Manipur and West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.